Cooking with Natvia and Norbu

The kind people at Natvia and Norbu sent me some more of their natural stevia and monkfruit sweeteners to try out in recipes. First I made Isa's Marbled Banana Bread. (This recipe is also found in Isa Does It, if you own that.) I substituted an equal amount of Natvia for the sugar. It turned out lovely, except I noticed my loaf was done after 45 minutes, rather than 55. I'm not sure if that's due to using the Nativa, or other conditions.  The bread was sweet enough to eat for dessert, had a rich chocolaty flavor thanks to plenty of cocoa powder.

Next up, I used the Norbu to make pumpkin eggnog.

Norbu Pumpkin Eggnog

1 box silken tofu

2 cups nondairy milk

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup Norbu sweetener

1 Tbsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in the blender until smooth. Enjoy with a shot of rum, if desired.

Inspired by our Christmas tree, Jackson decided to become one himself.

All he needs is a star on top of his head.

Saturday Shopping

Yesterday was Black Friday.  Did you get up early to take advantage of sales, or stay far away from the stores? We avoided the shops on Friday, knowing the parking lot and checkout lines would be crazy.  But we did do a little shopping today.  

Why does Blogger have this habit of turning some of my pictures sideways, like the one above? I can't figure out how to flip it back the way it should be. Thanks Blogger, but I want landscape, not portrait.

Anyway, my personal haul...new jeans, red flats, purple tights, blue nail polish, blue belt, and some new eyeshadow. I feel a bit weird buying for myself at this time of year.  However, since my birthday is coming up, I did treat myself to a few items.

When I got home, I checked the mail and found this...

As if the day didn't already feel like Christmas, I received my copy of The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet that I won from Kimmy, of the Vegan Conversion Challenge blog.  Thank you so much, Kimmy! The burger recipes look awesome and I can't wait to try them out.

For dinner we heated up some leftovers.  Then, while Tony got a fire going, I made some Eggless Eggnog (from How It All Vegan).

I have to say I like this recipe better than any of the store-bought vegan eggnogs I've tried.  It takes only a minute to throw together, and I sweeten it with stevia, so I don't feel bad about drinking a lot of empty calories.

Jackson doesn't care about calories, he just loves some tasty eggnog. Even more yummy because he helped me make it! 

Have a lovely evening! We're going to.